May just build a media room from scratch

kevhed72

The wifey and I are getting down to brass tacks on actually getting quotes on a separate building next to our house to serve as a HT, entertainment room with pool table and bar. She is pretty set on a large flat panel so the room can be used anytime during the day....and I agree. I want all built in speakers with this project.....either in wall or in ceiling. Complete 7.2 setup done correctly. So whats the skinny on Polks in wall or in ceiling speakers....and do the in wall subwoofers actually work well? Overall, we want a simple, clean setup with no wires cans everything built in, including the receiver, amp, cable box etc.

rooftop59

i like my polk in-ceilings just fine, but nothing to write home about. I like my def tech and NHTs better however, with the NHT's being my favorite our the three particular models I have. Budget is key here of course. I would love the LSi built-ins, but those are going to cost you, and then you have lots of other options. For the subs, I would definitely go DIY. @EndersShadow will talk you though it all!!!

kevhed72

Sounds like Def Techs for HT are getting some thumbs up around here. Im really looking for middle of the road to mid high level, with the focus being on movies and sports for this room. DIY sub wont work.... and Im guessing a stand alone sub vs in wall will perform better for same ti less money.

rooftop59

Yes you would definitely get a LOT more for your money with stand alone subs. If you want real small go for a pair of the SVS SB-1000s would be awesome, of course not cheap.

EndersShadow

If it was me... I'd look at a pair of cylinder subs.... They don't take up a to of floor space and work great on corners.....

madmax

If you are building the room the way you want then why not build the subs in where they cannot be seen? Either DIY or a hide-away place for a purchased sub.

Polkie2009

What size room are you wanting to build, cu.ft? Since it's mainly HT you're wanting, as for what to do for sub duty, I would definitely look at getting 2. Perhaps something from SVS, PAS, or similar. Maybe save on some nice used ones. You can never go wrong with spending at least $500 on acoustic treatments.

kevhed72

As far as room sizes goes.....something around 25 x 15 with 12 foot ceilings. I'm curious as if there is a even moderate difference between in wall and in ceiling. I would like in ceiling via a drop ceiling around the peremeter of the room, and I am assuming having the center channel mounted on the wall below the flat panel is optimal.

rooftop59

In ceiling are typically deeper speakers than in wall. As for sound, I did not like I'm ceiling for mains. As sound pans across the front stage it doesn't sound natural do to the height difference between the speakers and the fact that the center is coming from directly in front, and the mains from above u firing down at an angle. I would not recommend in ceiling mains.

[Deleted User]

If you have a 12' ceiling height, a good sounding room would be 19.2' wide and 30.72' long.

Polkie2009

I was going to say, there's a formula online somewhere you can use to use to determine the optimal sizes for a HT ,LxWxH. 12' seems like a fairly high ceiling and can add quite a bit cu. ft. If this is a room that you're starting from scratch building, might be beneficial to have a lower ceiling, 8' ,9', or 10' perhaps?